That is a good argument, but Canon is said to build an 0.18 micron fab.

Another observation may be that Canon shooters are quite happy with the cameras, lenses and high ISO capabilities. Those needing high DR and high resolution may be a small minority. That may explain why Canon is a bit lenient on sensor development.

Those needing high DR and high resolution may be a small minority. That may explain why Canon is a bit lenient on sensor development.

Some of us have been correctly making that exact point for some years now, Erik.

Simple proof? Just look at which camera company sells the most cameras... If Canon wasn't making (more or less) the right cameras for the vast majority of its customers, it simply wouldn't be the market leader, and either Nikon or Sony would be.

How are they doing, financially?

Oh, yeah...

Clearly, the potential market share to be gained from courting the small-but-vociferous high DR/high res crowd isn't really worth the trouble to Canon. So if it happens (and FWIW, I imagine it will) it will be on Canon's terms, and not because of the noise and heat coming from some numerically insignificant sector of the market.

(But as an aside, can I point out that it wasn't that long ago - in "generational" terms - that the highest resolution DSLR available was the Canon 1Ds Mk III? Everything that came afterwards was in response to Canon).

Simple proof? Just look at which camera company sells the most cameras... If Canon wasn't making (more or less) the right cameras for the vast majority of its customers, it simply wouldn't be the market leader, and either Nikon or Sony would be.

How are they doing, financially?

Oh, yeah...

I am sure that Kodak did quite well for some time as well. Doing well today is important, but it is not sufficient to guarantee success tomorrow.

Is 14+ stops of DR critical to most users? Probably not. But then, most users don't need 800mm teles, fancy tracking AF or any number of other distinguishing features of different camera/systems/vendors. Digital cameras seems to be entering a "mature" stage where night-and-day improvements are not to be expected.

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(But as an aside, can I point out that it wasn't that long ago - in "generational" terms - that the highest resolution DSLR available was the Canon 1Ds Mk III? Everything that came afterwards was in response to Canon).

And I am sure that "brand-loyal" users had strong opinion about the imporance vs unimportance of resolution at that point in time.

More than the rumored DR, I would be really excited about the complete silent mode. Having shot for a couple of months on a movie with Canon bodies and lenses in a sound blimp is a serious test of stamina and just plain tough work. A small system like this with a range of lenses not requiring sound blimps would be a huge improvement. Even coming down to being able to get a couple of bodies and lenses into a small carry-on would be a huge blessing. Count me as seriously interested!

Sony only made the announcement about 15.3 stops of DR expansion a couple of weeks ago, making it quite impossible for DXO to test the a7s with the update, as it is not available. Perhaps a bit of restraint is necessary folks...

I agree. I would expect a bit more DR at base ISO, with regard to the "fat" pixels. I think the camera is more intended for video than stills. Probably great for high ISO, but that is not my cup of tea.

No A7x camera for me. A9? Maybe, if it has a new sensor with electronic first curtain and 54 MP.

Sony only made the announcement about 15.3 stops of DR expansion a couple of weeks ago, making it quite impossible for DXO to test the a7s with the update, as it is not available. Perhaps a bit of restraint is necessary folks...

I would assume that to get up to 15.3 stops on DR, every ISO setting would get between 1-2 stops improvement with the new firmware. Considering how well it's done with just 12 MP's on an initial test using the existing firmware, I think it bodes well for Sony.

I would assume that to get up to 15.3 stops on DR, every ISO setting would get between 1-2 stops improvement with the new firmware. Considering how well it's done with just 12 MP's on an initial test using the existing firmware, I think it bodes well for Sony.

Trying to understand this new camera. It seems it currently has 13.1 stops of DR, but is thread implying there will be a firmware upgrade that gives it 15 + stops of DR when shooting raw stills? Right now I heard to get maximum DR in video mode you need to shoot in S-log at iso 3200 which is showing up with noise ( source; prolost.com ), but the DR in video mode is impressive some folks are saying.